Joel Garthwaite

Saxophonist

Biography

With a style and technique that led to The Observer describing him as “sprinkling stardust over everything he plays”, Joel Garthwaite has pursued a varied performance and recording career as a classical saxophonist for more than a decade.

His performance work is centred on the award-winning Lunar Saxophone Quartet that, since 2006, has developed a reputation as one of the best contemporary chamber music ensembles in the UK. He also regularly performs with the London Contemporary Orchestra (LCO), and his relationship with renowned composer Gabriel Jackson has led to him premiering a number of Jackson’s works featuring saxophone. Joel’s extensive media work has encompassed numerous live broadcasts for BBC Radio 3, Sky Arts, and BBC TV and Radio.

Other notable artistic collaborations have included working and performing with composer Shiva Feshareki (TTKonzert’ – Concerto for 4 Turntables, Sax Quartet and Large Orchestra (2010) and GH Konzert for Guitar Hero Nintendo and mixed ensemble (2011)), while in 2016 he appeared with the LCO in a memorable concert alongside influential composer Terry Riley at Barbican Hall.

Over the past decade he has worked closely with Gabriel Jackson on a number of new projects, including debut performances of: